EAST LANSING, MI -- Portland loves an exclamation-point finish.
And the Raiders just wrapped up the most topsy-turvy high school girls basketball season ever with the proper punctuation.
Scoring baskets in the closing seconds of each of the first three quarters, Portland underscored its season of success with an impressive 52-32 victory over Newaygo in the Division 2 state championship game at MSU’s Breslin Center.
The championship was the first in program history for Portland (20-2), which rolled to conference, district and regional crowns before adding the biggest one of all. While the Raiders won going away, they provided plenty of drama at the conclusion of each quarter.
Alivia Densmore sank buzzer-beating shots to cap the first and second quarters, each time giving her team a momentum boost. But the most notable finish came in the third quarter. After Newaygo scratched its way back to within 12 points, Ava Gruber and Ashley Bower each scored in the final 30 seconds to suddenly stretch the margin back to 17.
Bower was tough throughout for Portland, pouring in 20 points. Densmore and Ava Guilford each tallied 12.
Emmerson Goodin, Jaylee Long and Anna Brummel each scored eight for Newaygo, which was seeking its first state title since winning back-to-back honors in 1984 and 1985.
In a season boggled by COVID-19 woes, the two squads weathered the storm to reach their state final goals. Portland completed its championship quest under fifth-year coach Jason Haid.
Here’s a look at how the game played out.
FOURTH QUARTER
End of Fourth: Portland is celebrating the first girls basketball state championship in program history. Portland 52, Newaygo 32
47.2: Plenty of hugs going around on both benches as the time ticks down on a memorable season. Portland 52, Newaygo 32
*One more shoutout from Portland junior Breckyn Werner: “I would like to thank my mom, dad, family, friends and coaches for always supporting me.”
3:10: A circus shot falls for Ashley Bower, a fitting addition to her big day on the big stage. She has 20 points. Portland 52, Newaygo 32
3:50: Newaygo seniors Anna Brummel, Lily Ruehmeier and Jaylee Long get to play the final game of their prep careers in the state final in Breslin. Not too shabby. Portland 50, Newaygo 30
*Shoutout from Portland senior Grace Sines: “I would like to give a shoutout to my sister and brother-in-law, Alison and Branden Kerr, for being my own personal free-throw coaches. Thank you!”
4:40: Ava Gruber, Hannah Schrauben and Grace Sines are about to be able to claim they are the senior class that brought Portland its first state championship. This is the program’s third final four appearance. The Raiders bowed out in the semifinals in 2008 and 2010. Portland 50, Newaygo 27
*Shoutout from Portland freshman Alexa Weber: “I want to give a shoutout to my parents, Kurt and Marykay Weber, family, friends, teammates, and coaches. Thank you for all the support, encouragement, and making me the player and person I am today!”
THIRD QUARTER
End of Third: Ashley Bower with a dagger three. Newaygo is trying to claw its way back in contention. But Bower’s 3-pointer with 5 seconds left in the third won’t help. Portland 42, Newaygo 25
:30: Ava Gruber drives for two for Portland. She sent this shoutout: “I would like to thank my parents, Andrea and Brian Gruber for supporting me through everything and never missing a game.”
3:47: Anna Brummel hits two straight threes and Jaylee Long hits a third and suddenly Newaygo has new fire. Newaygo has hit more than 100 3-pointers on the year. Portland 35, Newaygo 24
5:14: Jaylee Long comes out of the timeout on the attack, she scores off the drive to halt Newaygo’s scoring drought. Portland answers, however, and momentum is fleeting. Portland 31, Newaygo 14
5:46: Ava Guilford is on point. She scores to sends Portland’s scoring spree to 11 straight points and the Raiders are threatening to break this game open. Portland 29, Newaygo 12.
6:42: Newaygo needs a spark, but Ava Guilford provides it for Portland instead. Her deep 3-pointer extends the margin to 23-12.
HALFTIME
*Ashley Bower leads all scorers with eight points in this defensive contest. She offered this shoutout: “I want to give a shoutout to all of my family and friends for always going to my games and supporting me!”
SECOND QUARTER
End of Second: Alivia Densmore knows how to close out a quarter. She delivered her second straight buzzer beater -- the first basket by either team in a long, long time -- to send Portland into halftime with a 20-12 lead.
3:05: Portland has won 13 in a row since its loss to Williamston. Included are some impressive tournament wins, downing 2019 state runner-up Freeland and No. 3-ranked Frankenmuth in the regional. Portland 18, Newaygo 12
*Shoutout from Portland senior Hannah Schrauben: “Thank you to my parents, Pat and Terri Schrauben, for always supporting me and being my biggest fans. Tonight’s for you guys!”
3:38: Newaygo likes to drive, but it hasn’t liked what it’s found in the lane. The swarming Portland defense -- with hands held high -- isn’t letting anything come easy. Portland 18, Newaygo 11.
5:08: Ava Guilford sinks two free throws -- nothing but net this time -- and Portland is on top 16-11.
6:40: Ava Guilford goes off the glass from 3-point land... kind of looked intentional. Kind of. Portland will take it, and take the lead. Portland 14, Newaygo 10
7:33: Newaygo features just an eight-player roster, but everybody plays a part. The Lions are a lesson in balanced offense, with nobody averaging 13 points per game. Newaygo 10, Portland 9
FIRST QUARTER
End of First: Alivia Densmore scores on a nifty catch-and-shoot on an in-bounds play with just 1.1 seconds on the clock, sends Portland off with some momentum. Portland 9, Newaygo 8
1:40: Newaygo looking to add to its championship history. The Lions only reached the quarterfinals three times prior to this season and it was during their heyday of 1983-85. They bowed out in the quarters in 1983 then won back-to-back championships in 1984 and 1985. Newaygo 8, Portland 4
*A shoutout from Portland freshman Malia Thelen: “I want to shoutout to my family -- Tom, Samantha and Lilly Thelen -- my friends, coaches, and teammates who have helped me become the player I am today. Thank you for all of the support and motivation!”
3:22: Portland is a defensive-minded team. Only three opponents managed 40 points against the Raiders this year while six were held below 30. Newaygo 6, Portland 4
5:00: Anna Brummel gets Newaygo on the board, hitting the offensive glass for two. Portland 4, Newaygo 2
6:40: Ashley Bower breaks the ice with a fastbreak layup and Portland strikes first. Portland 2, Newaygo 0
PREGAME
*This is a rare rematch. These two teams squared off during the regular season, with Portland handing Newaygo its lone setback of the year in a 38-33 defensive battle.
*Several members of the Portland squad shared some “Shoutouts” that we’ll be sharing throughout the contest. Let’s start with Ava Guilford: “I would like to give a shout out to my parents, Amy and Patrick Guilford. I would like to thank them for always supporting me throughout my whole basketball career. Whether that is driving me to my out of state AAU tournaments or always rebounding for me when I ask. Without them I wouldn’t be the player I am right now. Thanks!”
*The final Division 2 state rankings suggest these two teams were longshots to reach Breslin. Portland finished the season at No. 10 while Newaygo was honorable mention. But a couple top contenders withdrew due to COVID-19 concerns and others fell on the tournament trail, and the Raiders and Lions battled their way through.
EAST LANSING, MI -- They may not have been predicted to be here.
But Portland and Newaygo earned their shot at glory on the grand stage.
After weather the most tumultuous season in MHSAA history and a wave of postseason contenders, Portland (19-2) and Newaygo (21-1) meet for the Division 2 high school girls basketball state championship.
Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m. Friday at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center.
Follow all the action right here as we provide updates, trivia, insight, fun facts and more throughout the contest.
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